Food service covers the counter, the kitchen and the dining room: taking orders, running a register, prepping ingredients, washing dishes, cooking simple menu items, and keeping everything clean. Jobs are in restaurants, fast food, coffee shops, and the cafeterias that serve hospitals, schools, campuses and offices. Most places train you on the job, usually over a few weeks, and no formal education is required.

The Food Worker Card

Washington requires every food worker to get a Washington State Food Worker Card within 14 days of starting work. You don’t need it to apply.

Cost: $10, set by state rule and the same everywhere in Washington.
Where: online at foodworkercard.wa.gov, or through your local health department.
How: a short food safety course and test.
How long it lasts: your first card is good for 2 years. Renew before it expires and the next card lasts 3 years (5 with approved extra food safety training).
Where it works: any Washington county. Cards from other states are not accepted.

Serving alcohol? If the job involves serving alcohol, Washington also requires a MAST permit. Servers 18 to 20 get a Class 13 permit (serve beer and wine at tables). Bartending and mixing drinks takes a Class 12 permit, which is 21 and older. Your employer will tell you if you need one.

What food service pays in Washington

Washington does not let employers count tips toward minimum wage. You earn at least the full minimum wage, and tips are on top.

Washington minimum wage (2026)

$17.13/hr statewide

2027 rate announced Sep 30, 2026

Seattle minimum wage (2026)

$21.30/hr

Fast food and counter workers

Typically $20/hr; half earn $17–$23/hr

Dishwashers

Typically $22/hr; half earn $18–$24/hr

Food preparation workers

Typically $23/hr; half earn $19–$25/hr

Cooks, restaurant

Typically $25/hr; half earn $21–$28/hr

Cooks, cafeteria and institution

Typically $26/hr; half earn $21–$29/hr

Most food service work in Washington is part-time: about 95% of fast food and counter workers and 89% of dishwashers worked part-time in the past year.

Why you can see the pay: Washington law requires employers with 15 or more employees to post a wage range and a description of benefits on every job posting. On NoProbJobs, pay is shown only when the employer states it — never estimated.

Who’s hiring

Target111 jobs Jimmy John's81 jobs Chipotle Mexican Grill73 jobs Dutch Bros Coffee65 jobs Panera Bread40 jobs JOEY Restaurants26 jobs

How hiring usually works

Every employer is different, but food service hiring usually looks like this:

Apply online or in person. You’ll give your contact info and your availability. Early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays are common shifts, so the more of those you can cover, the better.
Short interview with a manager. Expect questions about customer service, teamwork, and how you handle a rush. School, volunteer or life examples count.
A trial shift (sometimes). Some kitchens ask you to work a short shift before they decide. Ask ahead of time whether it’s paid.
Start and get your cards. Get your Food Worker Card within 14 days of starting, and a MAST permit if you’ll serve alcohol. Training happens on the job.

Timelines vary by employer.

How to land a food service job with no experience

Lead with availability. Early, late, weekends and holidays are the hardest shifts to fill.
Get your Food Worker Card early (optional). It’s $10 and not required until 14 days after you start, but having it already shows you’re ready to go.
Apply to several places at once. Counter, kitchen and cafeteria jobs all count, and cafeteria jobs often run on steadier weekday schedules.
Answer with real examples. Staying calm under pressure, working as a team, being on time. Managers want reliable people who can handle a rush.
Show up ready to work. On time, phone away, clean clothes. Some interviews turn into a quick look at the kitchen.
Follow up. A short call or stop-in a few days later is normal in food service.

Where food service can lead

Food service has clear steps up, in Washington pay terms:

Counter or crewShift lead / food service supervisor (typical $29/hr)Food service manager (typical $36/hr; usually takes several years of food service experience)

Dishwasher or prepLine cook (typical $25/hr)Chef or head cook (typical $32/hr)

Getting Hired in Food Service FAQ

Do I need a food handlers card to apply for food service jobs in Washington?

No. You need a Washington State Food Worker Card within 14 days of starting work, not before you apply.

How much does a Washington Food Worker Card cost?

$10. The price is set by state rule and is the same in every county. Get it online at foodworkercard.wa.gov or through your local health department.

How long is a Washington Food Worker Card good for?

Your first card lasts 2 years. If you renew before it expires, the renewal lasts 3 years, or 5 years with approved extra food safety training.

Do tips count toward minimum wage in Washington?

No. Washington employers must pay at least the full minimum wage, and tips are yours on top of it.

Can I serve alcohol with no experience?

Yes, with a MAST permit. Servers 18 to 20 can get a Class 13 permit to serve beer and wine at tables. Bartending takes a Class 12 permit, which requires being 21 or older.

Are most food service jobs part-time?

Many are. About 95% of fast food and counter workers in Washington worked part-time in the past year. Full-time roles are available and are labeled on each job.